Otley MP completes 652-mile challenge for Jane Tomlinson charity (From Wharfedale Observer)

Otley MP completes 652-mile challenge for Jane Tomlinson charity

10:00am Friday 27th April 2012 in News By Jim Jack

An amazing experience – that he doesn’t want to repeat.

That’s how MP Greg Mulholland (Lib Dem, Leeds North West) described the gruelling 652-mile cycling and running challenge he has just risen to for charity.

The Otley-based politician completed the final leg of the Jane Tomlinson Tenth Anniversary Challenge, in memory of the inspirational Leeds runner, when he crossed the finishing line of the London Marathon last Sunday.

He was part of a team led by Jane’s husband, Mike, and daughter, Rebecca, who all ran in the Paris Marathon then cycled, via Hull and Yorkshire, to the UK capital to take on their second marathon within eight days.

Mr Mulholland’s effort has, to date, raised just over £4,270 for the Jane Tomlinson Appeal, which supports cancer and children's charities, along with Kidz In Campz, which helps children displaced by conflict in refugee camps on the Thai/Burmese border, and The Leeds Rugby Foundation.

Speaking before travelling back to Westminster on Monday, he said: “I am absolutely delighted to have completed the Jane Tomlinson 10th Anniversary challenge.

“This was without doubt the toughest challenge I have ever taken on and, despite the terrible weather conditions as well as having to battle through a nasty cold, as a team we were able to work together to get ourselves over the finish line on The Mall on Sunday.

“The thought of all the money we were raising for these fantastic causes undoubtedly kept us going, as did the thoughts of Jane, who has inspired so many people to complete similarly amazing feats of endurance.

“While this was an amazing experience and one that I will not be forgetting in a hurry, I’m not sure I will be sticking my hand up volunteering to take part in any more of Mike Tomlinson’s challenges any time soon!”

It was a decade ago last Sunday that Jane Tomlinson CBE ran the London Marathon and became the first terminally-ill cancer patient to complete it.

Mr Tomlinson said: “This day ten years ago changed Jane’s life and changed our lives as well. There’s no way we would be here if it wasn’t for Jane.

“She battled so hard and so long, we wanted to celebrate today by being here and doing a bit of an extraordinary challenge ourselves.”

Mr Mulholland can still be sponsored at justgiving.com/Greg-Mulholland-Jane-Tomlinson-Challenge.